CVE-2016-3562 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the RDBMS Security and SQL*Plus components in Oracle Database Server 11.2.0.4 and 12.1.0.2 allows remote administrators to affect confidentiality via vectors related to DBA.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3562 resides within Oracle Database Server's RDBMS Security and SQL*Plus components, representing a critical weakness that compromises data confidentiality. This issue affects specific versions including 11.2.0.4 and 12.1.0.2, indicating a widespread impact across multiple database server releases. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though the implications for database security are severe. Attackers exploiting this flaw can potentially access sensitive information through remote administrative access points, particularly targeting database administrator privileges and associated security controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in Oracle's database security architecture, where remote administrative users can manipulate or bypass confidentiality protections within the database environment. This weakness likely stems from improper access controls or authentication mechanisms within the SQL*Plus interface and RDBMS security components, allowing unauthorized access to confidential database information. The vulnerability's relationship to DBA privileges indicates that attackers may leverage administrative access to gain deeper insights into database structures, user credentials, and sensitive data repositories. Such a flaw represents a significant breach in the principle of least privilege, where administrative capabilities are improperly constrained or validated.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3562 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for comprehensive database compromise and information theft. Remote attackers with administrative access can potentially exfiltrate sensitive data, manipulate database contents, or establish persistent access points within the organization's database infrastructure. This vulnerability directly affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, undermining the fundamental security objective of protecting sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure. Organizations utilizing affected Oracle Database versions face potential regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage when this vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3562 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle's security updates, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations must implement strict access control measures, including network segmentation, firewall restrictions, and privileged access management systems to limit administrative access points. Regular security audits and monitoring of database administrator activities should be enforced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring tools and establishing robust incident response procedures will help organizations quickly identify and contain potential breaches. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, as it exploits legitimate administrative access to compromise database confidentiality. This issue corresponds to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and requires comprehensive security hardening measures to prevent unauthorized access to database resources. Organizations should also consider implementing database encryption, regular vulnerability assessments, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations to address similar vulnerabilities in their database environments.